“Sawadee” is Thai for “Hello”. Together with the polite particle "khrap/krup" for men, and "kha" for women, it is the greeting phrase used in Thailand.
If you are a man, you say “sawadee krap” and if you are a woman, you say “sawadee ka”.
สวัสดี is how you write “Sawadee” in Thai.
The kids at the Vancouver airport before our flight to Hong Kong and then Bangkok, Thailand.
Papa Backpack, Mama Backpack, and Baby Backpacks.
The 5-year-old, Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok is really impressive.
“The task of creating a new gateway to Thailand in a tropical climate necessitated a different approach to architecture and engineering… The results are advanced long span, lightweight steel structures, exposed pre-cast concrete structures, clear or low e-coated glass, a three layer translucent membrane, integrated cooling, using water as a low energy carrier and the thermal mass of concrete and a displacement ventilation system with minimal air-changes… The result is a building flooded with controlled daylight in a tropical climate… In a building with such advanced technical concept and construct it is important to establish a connection to local cultural tradition and art. This is done through the shaded gardens flanking the terminal, which represent Thai landscape in cities and in the country, a jungle garden between the terminal and concourse, traditional artistic patterns and colors on glazed surfaces and floors and Thai artifacts placed at the airside centers and concourses.”
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A Yaksha "Demon Warrior Statue” at the international check-in area.
These beautiful but intimidating statues were supposed to act as airport guardians, but a few years ago, a number of these giant statues were relocated from the arrivals hall to the international check-in area due to airport workers’ suspicion of them bringing bad luck. From 2009:
Local press in Thailand are reporting that the figures are being moved in response to complaints from airport staff who blame the ‘demon statues’ for bringing bad luck. The twelve statues at Bangkok airport are replicas of the yaksha demon warrior statues to be found at The Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaeo) in Bangkok. In Buddhist mythology, the yaksha were guardian figures who protected the good and kept away evil spirits.
The new Bangkok international airport at Suvarnabhumi finally opened in September 2006, but was plagued with problems before, during and after its construction and last year political protesters forced its temporary closure. Feng Shui experts in Thailand say there are a number of things that need to be rectified at the international airport and a relocation of the yaksha statues will help to improve the positive energy flow. Superstition plays a significant part in Thai life, but the official line from the Airports of Thailand (AOT) is slightly different. A spokesman said, ‘AOT has decided to move the statues to the check-in concourse to give passengers and other people the chance to appreciate the statues’ beauty.’
A religious ceremony was held at the beginning of the week in preparation for the relocation of the yaksha statues which is expected to be complete next month.
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The Thai people have a tremendous amount of love for their king, His Majesty King Bhumibol. His images are everywhere in Thailand; this is apparent as soon as you arrive at the airport.
New York has their yellow cabs, Bangkok has pink.
After a 24-hour journey from Victoria, we only had a short time to relax in Bangkok before flying to Chiang Mai.
The kids waiting for our flight to Chiang Mai – Léah reading and Gabriel/Naimah working on their travel journals.
